Oilskin Clothing - The Best Defense
Against Bad Weather

They say that necessity is the mother of invention, I'm not
convinced that is the whole story. My curiosity and desire to
understand how things came about led me to discover some
amazing stories. That need-to-know has convinced me that more
than a few times, great things are invented by everyday people
who are just looking for a niche to fill that makes them a
living. Such is my discovery about oilskin clothing.

I'm sure most of us (I include myself) have never heard of
oilskin or never paid attention to its attributes. However,
cowboys, range riders, bikers and sailors know all-to-well not
to be caught in stormy weather with out it. The simplicity of
this invention is amazing considering the speed it became a
necessity in certain vocations. Oilskin has the ability to
survive rough treatment from work environments that would ruin
most other clothing, while being totally waterproof, windproof
and warm. Oilskin coats have become the ultimate in harsh
weather protection, sailors and bikers alike don't want to be
caught without it, but let's get to the story behind this
wonderful product. It all began in the late 1800's when a
Scottish sailor, Edward Leroy, retired from sailing and settled
in Australia. With no means of income and not much chance of
finding a job, Edward looked for a way to earn a living.

Many ships were replacing their worn and weathered canvas
sails with new ones, and the old canvas were being discarded.
Edward discovered that if he soaked this old canvas in linseed
oil, it renewed the canvas and made it waterproof and
wind-resistant. Edward cut the "oilskin" canvas he had invented
and sewed the pieces into capes. He then sold these capes to
the sailors that docked at a near-by Australian port. Word
spread quickly that Edward's capes could withstand the monsoon
rains that wore down every sailor, keeping them warm and dry.
Edward had created a lucrative niche business. It did not take
long before this "Oilskin" product was shaped into actual coats
and sold to Australian outback cowboys in need of the same
protection. Tales were added, slits were put in the tails to
allow the Long Coat to be comfortable while riding a horse, and
tie-downs added to keep the wind from lifting them.

I doubt that Edward ever had a notion that is little
invention that simply earned him a living would become sought
after throughout the world. Edward's original oil-soaked canvas
has gone through many transitions, but the principal is still
the same. Newer methods of finishing the material, ways to
soften it and make it more attractive, coat designs that have
kept up with the ages, but still Edward's principal is the
same.

The Oilskin coat has taken sailors and range riders
through the roughest weather for over a century, and Bikers
have made it the clothing of choice to carry when they travel
light. There are many makers of Oilskin clothing, and a lot of
imitations, but Australia still remains the quality producer of
the wonderful material.

Lee has been writing ever since his 10th grade Lit teacher
challenged him in poetry. Through out the years he has written
everything from instruction manuals to poetry, including a
dozen short stories and lots of poetry. One day he might just
find time to finish the novel he has started.

Men's
Dusters... no nonsense outerwear with a true western
flair. Pro bull rider or urban cowboy, no ensemble is complete
without a classic Men's Duster. Our authors ruminate on the
appeal of these bad-boys, and offer cleaning tips plus a few
select brand-name Men's Dusters to give you a heads-up
on shopping.